Oleksandr Usyk finds himself at a critical juncture as he navigates the murky waters of his next fight. With a highly anticipated rematch against Tyson Fury tentatively scheduled for October or December, the boxing world is abuzz with rumors about Fury’s potential retirement or extended absence from the ring following his first career loss. This uncertainty leaves Usyk with a narrow window to determine his path forward.
If Fury indeed decides to take a significant break, possibly up to a year, Usyk could pivot to fulfilling the IBF’s mandate to face the winner of the upcoming bout between Filip Hrgovic and Daniel Dubois. The IBF has stipulated that Usyk will be stripped of his belt to facilitate Hrgovic and Dubois contesting the title on June 1, should the rematch with Fury be delayed or canceled.
Hrgovic, who has already stepped aside twice to allow Usyk more time to face Fury, is central to this equation. Fury’s six-month delay in fighting Usyk complicates the matter further, raising questions about the fairness of the IBF’s timeline. Many fans and analysts believe that the IBF should grant Usyk additional time to finalize his bout with Fury before making any drastic decisions.
Fury, known for his unpredictable decisions, has expressed a desire to fight Usyk soon, as he stated in Saudi Arabia after losing to the Ukrainian. However, Fury’s track record of changing his mind adds a layer of unpredictability to the situation. Should Fury back out or delay the fight, Usyk could be left in a challenging position.
The IBF’s quick move to enforce their mandate has drawn criticism from fans who feel that Usyk deserves a period to celebrate his recent success without the immediate threat of losing his undisputed status. A more balanced approach, some argue, would be for the IBF to sanction Hrgovic vs. Dubois for an interim title until Fury’s intentions become clear.
Speculation about Fury’s future continues to swirl, with some believing that the British heavyweight might retire to avoid a rematch with Usyk. “IBF doesn’t want a rematch. I think Fury is about to retire,” one commentator noted. Another added, “The clause is a rematch unless Fury/Usyk retire. Usyk can’t fight mandatory for the IBF belt, so he must vacate it [unless Fury retires].”
As it stands, Usyk has limited options to maintain his undisputed status. If Fury retires or delays the rematch until 2025, Usyk could retain his titles. Alternatively, if Hrgovic agrees to wait another six to eight months, he could compete for an undisputed crown instead of a single belt.
The boxing community eagerly awaits clarity from Fury, whose decision will significantly impact the heavyweight landscape. For Usyk, the coming days are crucial as he strategizes to either secure the rematch or prepare to face the IBF’s mandatory challenger without compromising his hard-earned titles.
For more updates on this developing story, please visit [World Boxing News](https://www.worldboxingnews.net/2024/05/21/tyson-fury-urged-clarify-future-before-usyk-stripped/).
